KRISHNAGAR, (C.M. Paul) – In a major eco friendly venture Don Bosco Technical School Krishnagar launched an ambitious Go Green project of planting 12,000 (twelve thousand) high yielding timber saplings, for a week from 22 September. The project consists of planting saplings of high quality timber yielding local varieties of trees like Mahagani, Akashmuni, Teak, and Kodam.

While the cost per sapling worked out to Rs. 2 (Rs.24,000 for 12,000 plants) the additional expenses incurred for planting these come to Rs.26,000.

Explaining the urgency of the project Rector of 78 year old Don Bosco Youth Centre Krishnagar Fr Thomas Kayyalackal says, “It is to utilize the land lying fallow, to protect the property from being encroached, and to be part of the go green movement.”

MC nuns at Don Bosco Go Green Campaign

“Besides providing green cover to the barren area in our farm, we hope to provide employment to people as well as set a model for other people to emulate. Eventually we hope to get economic benefit of having timber of our carpentry training school as well as getting financial support for the institution,” said Fr Kayyalackal.

The Superintendent of DB Tech Fr Mani Kariapuram said, “We hope to involve some 80 people (all the formal students, teachers and other collaborators of the Don Bosco Technical School, Krishnagar – in this project.”

The government officials particularly the District Commissioner, the Sub Divisional Officer, as well as officials of the forest department, the police, the schools, religious communities around, the Salesian province of Kolkata have shown considerable interest in the novel project.

Week-long Go Green Campaign

Speaking at the inaugural function, local Member of Legislative Assembly Mr Aboni Joardar (Retd. IPS) said “This is indeed a praiseworthy initiative by Don Bosco Krishnagar and an example to be emulated and it is hoped that more and more people realise the necessity of such initiative and carry such projects forward.”

To ensure that the saplings are not forgotten after the initial hoopla the school authorities have divided the forest into several sections and each section will be entrusted to one class each. A few people are also employed to look after the trees.

With a sturdy wall around the compound, gates with cow traps, guards, regular supply of water and manure, the Go Green campaigners have ensured the plants’ growth and protection from predators.